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Msgr. Bliss reflects on 21 years of ‘calming life storms’ as hospital chaplain

By: Tom Dermody - June 15, 2017 - News Article

This week Msgr. Michael Bliss ended 21 years in the pastoral care department of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria to begin new duties as pastor of St. Edward Parish in Chillicothe. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Msgr. Michael Bliss doesn’t remember the name of the staff chaplain who comforted him when his father died more than 30 years ago, but he can still see the man’s face and remember the words he heard as he grieved. That calming, prayerful presence in good times and in bad is the legacy he hopes […]

Daughter captures prizewinning image of mother, 103, with visitor Sr. Norberta

By: Tom Dermody - June 15, 2017 - Featured Article Anna Pomatto, photo contest, Spring Valley

No words are necessary to recognize the bond between Sister Norberta Piekos and Anna Pomatto, 103, a resident of Aperion Care Spring Valley. This photo, taken by Anna's daughter, Ann, won first prize in the "People, Events, and Everyday Life" category of a photo contest sponsored by Spring Valley Boosters. (Provided photo/Ann Pomatto)

SPRING VALLEY — When Sister Norberta Piekos visited nursing home resident Anna Pomatto a few days after her 103rd birthday, Mrs. Pomatto’s daughter, Ann, thought to ask the pastoral care worker from the LaSalle Catholic Parishes to pose with her for a selfie. “Sister comes and visits very faithfully,” recalled Ann. But Sister Norberta had […]

All invited to Corpus Christi Procession this Sunday at Franciscan motherhouse

By: Tom Dermody - June 15, 2017 - News Article Corpus Christi procession, East Peoria, Franciscan, motherhouse

A scene from a past Corpus Christi procession at the motherhouse of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in East Peoria. Bishop Jenky has encouraged wide participation in this year's procession, which begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 18. (The Catholic Post file/Jennifer Willems)

EAST PEORIA — One of the longest running annual public celebrations of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ in the Diocese of Peoria will be even more special this Sunday, June 18. While encouraging Eucharistic devotion at parishes around the diocese on Sunday, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, has given […]

‘A big deal’: Diocese hosts a second celebration for First Communicants

By: Tom Dermody - June 15, 2017 - Featured Article Bishop Jenky, First Communion

Ivany Cisneros of St. Mary Cathedral Parish in Peoria poses for a photo taken by her mother, Maria, outside the cathedral following the June 10 Diocesan Mass for First Communicants. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

While there is only one “first,” the Diocese of Peoria considers a child’s first holy Communion important enough for a second celebration — this time with the diocesan family. And even the Diocesan Mass for First Communicants, celebrated last Saturday by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, and during which the children once again donned their […]

‘A martyr at any moment’

By: Tom Dermody - June 2, 2017 - Editorial

Pope Francis has frequently said that there are more Christians being martyred today than during the persecutions of the church in the early centuries of Christianity. He would get no argument from the faithful in Egypt, where 29 Coptic Christians — including a number of children — were killed May 26 when masked assailants attacked […]

Fr. Brokaw as described by his family: a caring leader who loves people, the Lord

By: Tom Dermody - June 2, 2017 - News Article Brenda Brokaw, Family, Father Lee Brokaw, parents, Patrick Brokaw, Raritan

Father Brokaw offers a prayer of blessing for his parents, Patrick and Brenda Brokaw of St. Patrick Parish, Raritan, during a reception at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria following the ordination Mass on May 27. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

What kind of a priest can St. Matthew Parish in Champaign expect when newly ordained Father Lee Brokaw arrives in a few days as parochial vicar? Here are a few of the words that those who know him best — his parents and three sisters — used to describe him: Dedicated. Conscientious. Caring. Self-giving. A […]

Diocese of Peoria ‘blessed with joy’ as Father Lee Brokaw is ordained, assigned

By: Tom Dermody - June 1, 2017 - Featured Article Diocese of Peoria, Father Lee Brokaw, ordination, Raritan

Newly ordained Father Lee Brokaw poses with Bishop Jenky for the traditional photo on the steps of the Bishop's Home after the Mass of Ordination. Also pictured are, from left, Father Timothy Hepner, vocations director for recruitment; Msgr. James Kruse, vicar general; Abbot Philip Davey, OSB, of St. Bede Abbey; Msgr. Paul Showalter, vicar general; and Father Patrick Henehan, vocation director of formation. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Proclaiming the Diocese of Peoria “blessed with joy,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, ordained Father Lee W. Brokaw to the priesthood in ancient rites witnessed by a standing-room-only crowd during a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on Saturday, May 27. In an instruction during the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Jenky urged Father Brokaw […]

24 permanent, 2 transitional deacons are ordained; ready to serve with love, joy

By: Tom Dermody - May 23, 2017 - Featured Article deacons, Diocese of Peoria, Permanent deacons, transitional deacons

The 24 new permanent deacons who will serve the Diocese of Peoria surround Bishop Jenky in the sanctuary of St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria after the Mass of Ordination to the Diaconate on May 20. Kneeling next to him are Ryan Mattingly (left) and Andru O'Brien (right), who were ordained transitional deacons and will now begin their final preparation for ordination to the priesthood next May. Also joining the group were diocesan officials including Msgr. Timothy Nolan, Msgr. James Kruse, Msgr. Paul Showalter, Father Patrick Henehan and Father Timothy Hepner. (The Catholic Post/Jennifer Willems)

Calling it “a profound moment of renewal in the life of our local church,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, ordained 24 men as permanent deacons and two as transitional deacons during a more than two-hour Mass on May 20 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Peoria. With family members and friends filling every seating space — including […]

Deacon Lee Brokaw, Raritan native, to be ordained to the priesthood May 27

By: Tom Dermody - May 18, 2017 - Featured Article farming, Lee Brokaw, ordination, priesthood, Raritan, rural

Deacon Brokaw was raised on his family's farm in Raritan and earned degrees in agriculture economics and crop and soil management from the University of Illinois before entering the seminary. A tractor and planter provide the background to this photo taken on May 12 as he assisted on the farm prior to his ordination to the priesthood on May 27. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

RARITAN — No priest reaches ordination day alone, and Deacon Lee Brokaw is well aware that his faith and vocation have deep and widespread roots. “My whole family has been really supportive,” said Deacon Brokaw, the son of Patrick and Brenda Brokaw of St. Patrick Parish in Raritan, who will be ordained to the priesthood […]

Father Riordan to senior status; former teacher brought that skill to parishes

By: Tom Dermody - May 18, 2017 - Uncategorized Father Patrick Riordan, Ivesdale, senior status, Tolono

Father Patrick Riordan is pictured outside St. Patrick Church in Tolono. Since 2013, he has also served as pastor of St. Joseph, Ivesdale. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

TOLONO — A casual retracing of Father Patrick Riordan’s career path would indicate he began as a teacher and then took a new road into seminary and the priesthood. A conversation with the Streator native, who at age 70 is being granted senior status effective June 14, clarifies it was a case of paths merging. […]

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